AIR WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1940, Page 5

AIR WARFARE

BRITISH PLANES BOMB GERMAN WARSHIPS MANY ATTACKS ON ENEMY BASES. EIGHT MACHINES MISSING. It is reported, Daventry states, that two enemy warships, believed to be destroyers or light cruisers, were bombed and set on fire early yesterday morning 'when British aircraft carried out raids on German naval bases. The warships wore two of a group of four at anchor and although they were partly concealed by mist and protected by land batteries the British planes succeeded in their attack. Oil bases, communications and aerodromes in Germany were also bombed. One British plane is missing. In daylight operations enemy barges on a Dutch canal were attacked. Yesterday morning formations attacked Bergen. An ammunition dump was set on fire. An attack was. also made on Stavanger aerodrome. One enemy fighter was shot down. Seven British aircraft have failed to return. Four German aircraft were shot down over Britain yesterday. An Air Ministry communique states that several districts in England were bombed. Some damage was done at a Bristol Channel port and there were a few casualties. Other raids in South England caused some casualties. WOMAN KILLED MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN RAID ON SOUTH-EAST COAST. LONDON, July 9. A woman was killed and a man in the same house seriously injured during a raid on the south-east coast. Incendiary bombs fell in Wales and Scotland but little damage was done. HOOK OF HOLLAND EVACUATION ON ACCOUNT OF BOMBING. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM. July 9. A German controlled Dutch radio message announced that a large part of the population of the Hook of Holland are being evacuated because of the nightly British bombings. MANY ATTACKS LOSSES AT STAVANGER. EXAGGERATED ENEMY CLAIM. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, July 9. An Air Ministry communique states: “Yesterday R.A.F. bombers made daylight attacks on concentrations of enemy barges on the Dutch canals of Zwolle, Hatten and Weest also Elberg and Delft. Many, barges were sunk, wrecked or set on fire. “Other aircraft bombed an enemy supply ship in the Danish harbour of Aalborg. “Our bombers also attacked aerodromes in enemy occupation at Soissons and Douai and aircraft personnel and transport were damaged. “Aircraft of the Coastal Command attacked and damaged enemy patrol vessels off the Danish coast. All our aircraft returned safely. “Last night R.A.F. bombers attacked naval bases at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, where damage was done to dockyards and an enemy warship was set on fire. “Further damage was done to oil refineries at Homburg and to goods yards • at Hamm. Aerodromes at Waalhaven . Amsterdam and Brussels were also bombed. One of our planes is missing. “This morning a formation of our bombers attacked Bergen, where an ammunition dump was set on fire and damage done to a ship and seaplane slipway. Another formation of R.A.F. bombers attacked aircraft lined up on the Sola aerodrome at Stavanger. Our attack was pressed home in the face of strong opposition from enemy fighters and ground defences. One enemy fighter was shot down. Seven of our aircraft failed to return. It is understood that there is no truth in the German claim that 12 Bristol - Blenheim ' bombers were shot down in the raid on the Sola aei odrome at Stavanger this morning. FOUR ENEMY PLANES BROUGHT DOWN IN BRITAIN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) RUGBY. July 9. An Air Ministry and Ministry oi Home Security communique states that enemy aircraft made bombing attacks on several districts today. Some damage was done to premises at a Bristol Channel port and a few casualties were caused. Fighter aircraft and anti-airciaft guns went into action at a number of points and losses were inflicted on the enemy. Reports so far received confirm. that two enemy bombers and one fighter were destroyed by our fighters, and one enemy fighter by anti-aircraft guns. UNTRUE REPORT MADE BY GERMANS. AUTHORITATIVE DENIAL IN LONDON. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) BERLIN. July 9. A special communique states: “Twelve Blenheims tried to attack the Stavanger aerodrome this morning. Only a few bombs were dropped, causing slight, material damage. All the British planes were brought down. There were no German losses.” A London message says it is authoritatively stated that the German claim that twelve British bombers were shot down at Stavanger is untrue.